"Quiet childrens chestnut mare. has a beautiful white blaze and four white socks to match. 14yrs old 13.3hh, done everything. great to handle. loves people. suit anyone from a beginner to an experienced rider. $2500 ono."

the ad seems fine, right?
when i went to ride her to decide whether i wanted her or not, she was absoloutely perfect! she looked great aswell. she was already saddled up when we got there.

when we got her home and really looked at her she had a very bad sway back, arthritis, and at the time we didnt know (which the old owner may not have known either) she had cancer. the next day she was probably the most stubborn thing ive ever seen. she was drugged when we got her.
dont get me wrong, i love that pony, i had her for years, but now shes passed and im finally emotionally ready to get a new one, but i dont want this to happen with a bigger, stronger horse.

how can i pick out a "dodgy" or lying seller? im already going to ask for a two week trial, but this horse HAS to be right, any suggestions or advice?

Set up a time to go see the horse, ask that it be in the pasture as you want to see the horse be caught and tacked up while you are there. I always like to go back for a "surprise" visit shortly after the initial visit, it the horse is close enough. You can tell them you decided you needed a second look and were near by. Get a vet check. I ask the horse to be tied, loaded and unloaded. I watch for issues I think I can deal with and write off those that I can't.

I've arrived and had a horse already saddled - which is a big no-no in my opinion. I promptly took the saddle off and inspected the horse (whose backbone was now very visible, as were his ribs). I want to see how the horse responds to being saddled so I prefer it to be completely naked when I get there Being caught in the pasture is not a huge deal for me, since how a horse catches in the pasture would never be a dealbreaker or maker for me. That's just ME though - some people have a LOT of land and would prefer the pony to surrender itself a little easier ;)

Always do more than one visit, especially if you're looking for a horse that's well broke and quiet. I agree with the "surprise" visit thing. I encourage anyone looking at a horse I'm selling to show up "out of the blue". I want them to know I am not a dirty seller (however apparently someone on this forum suggested I might have drugged my horse for a potential buyer, who is also a member of this forum...made me laugh out loud). ;)

Show up early, ask that the horse be out in the pasture when you get there. The horse can be dirty (I like to see how they stand for grooming, to have their hooves picked out....etc). Ask for a TRIAL! Get a pre-purchase exam.

Set up your appt, show up a half hour early. You allowed time for traffic and didn't need it If I'm looking I just ask people if sometime on insert day would be okay because my schedule is hectic and I will get there no earlier than a and no later than b.

If they are tacked upon arrival, un tack. Check the horse thoroughly without tack and how it behaves in hand. Under saddle is only a small part of the grand scheme of things.

Look for signs of sedation, sweating, glossy or droopy eyes, pupil dilation, relaxed/possible drooling mouth, slow to move, etc. Ask to watch the horse lunged first, watch the cadence of it's gaits. If it isn't rhythmical that can be an indicator. Some also get excessively gassy or have loose stools. Also listen to it's breathing while resting. Some may grunt or roar while working but at rest it's a red flag.

Ask lots of questions. Ask for references. Ask for past owner information and follow up on it. I sold a broodmare of my gpa's a couple years ago and had a call a few weeks ago. They wanted to know about the mare's performance record as the seller told them she had an extensive show career as a youth horse. She did not. She was just a well bred mare with good confo that he raised a few babies out of. She was broke to ride but not a show mare and certainly not a youth mount.

Depending on price tag, get a PPE. I'm confident enough to look myself without one but if it's a good amount of cash being spent I take my vet with me.

Don't buy the first visit. (unless you are certain it's the right one and honest seller) Let them know you are interested (if you are) but you have looked at others and need to make a decision and will get back to them in x amount of time. In that time between do a surprise visit.

Life is like a camera. Focus on what's important, Capture the good times, Develop from the negatives and if things don't work out, Take another shot.

Also, have the seller ride the horse. Some people will make up excuses as to why they can't and how no one else that's around can. That's always a red flag to me, I never get on a horse I'm trying without seeing it ridden by someone else first, just to make sure it isn't going to kill me.

Also, have the seller ride the horse. Some people will make up excuses as to why they can't and how no one else that's around can. That's always a red flag to me, I never get on a horse I'm trying without seeing it ridden by someone else first, just to make sure it isn't going to kill me.

Yes that drives me crazy when they won't ride! I want to see how the horse moves, but the person is too lazy (or scared?) to get on the flippin horse >:l

We've had that happen to us before... We went to look at a horse and we rode her bareback... We get her home, let her settle in, ride her, she rears like crazy! She also bucked off my friend 2 almost 3 times... She was drugged, I know it. We also looked at the other horse they had for sale. Was also drugged. Rode him with a saddle and he did perfect. Got him home, let him settle in, ride him, he does great but was in tons of pain (confirmed by professional). He was obviously drugged so he would show not be in pain... Makes me sick. These people have sold many other horses by doing that...

how can i pick out a "dodgy" or lying seller? im already going to ask for a two week trial, but this horse HAS to be right, any suggestions or advice?

I'll tell you what's worked for us....buy from a family of long time breeder/trainers/instructors. Our current mares are all from a local Paint breeder couple that has been in the business for 40+ years. Over the years we have bought our lead mare (finished, seasoned, shown team penning) and two green 3 year olds from them. Never had a health problem, never had to spend a dime more for training. They won't sell you a horse that doesn't match your plans or experience and require that you handle, tack, and ride the horse multiple times before buying. Their good reputation is known by word of mouth and is the only 'advertising' they do.

On the sixth day, God created the Quarter Horse.
On the seventh day, he Painted the good ones.

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